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Friday, June 26, 2009

Have you ever had one of those perfect days? You know, the day that your skinny jeans are actually a little loose, or you only set off the smoke alarm once while you were cooking supper, or maybe you were able to easily liberate a new CD from it's hermetically sealed plastic wrapping without losing your religion. Well, that's the kind of day I'm having, because in addition to the aforementioned milestones, my friend, Stan Williams, is coming to see me. Well, me and a lot of other people interested in getting a signed copy of his newly released book, The Find. My other dear friend, Jean Heath, has very graciously offered up her great Mid Century Modern furniture store, Uptown Modern, as party central! So, in homage to Stan's Francophile nature, I get to be the "hostess-with-the-mostess" and throw a shindig on July 14th - Bastille Day, as fate would have it. We will have tasty treats and drinks, lots of books to sign, and more fun than you can shake a French revolutionary stick at.

If you're not familiar with Stan and his work, I posted a great interview with him last month, which you can find here, and an introductory post here. When I received the "it's a done deal" e-mail from Stan saying that he would able to fit an Austin stop onto his agenda and the offer from Jean to be our location, it was one of the most exciting days of my life - not withstanding the big ticket items like the birth of my children or my wedding day! Thanks so much Stan, I can't wait till you get here - and Jean, thanks to you as well for your hospitality! I can't wait for you all to meet him! I'll keep you posted about the exact time and such as it gets closer. If you would like a reminder, however make sure and either enter your email into my Feedburner or follow me with Google Friend Connect - both are located at the right side of the blog.

Monday, June 22, 2009

As most of you know, I've never been a "knows-her-way-around-a-kitchen" type person. It's not the kitchen part per se, it's just that... so much of what goes on in there involves cooking tasty dishes that people can actually eat without summoning their gag reflex.

I'm just back from a visit with may darling Mother, MaMa Jo. When the kids and I visit her, we have such fun and miss her dreadfully when we get home. Although, and I love a good "although," one of the less pleasant results is that my ego is confronted 3 times a day with the realization that I'm a "sucky" cook. My Mom is the queen of gastronomic delights, she can quite literally take 2 pieces of bread, rub them together and "presto!," a 4-course-super-delicious-meal magically appears on our plates! Upon seeing my crest-fallen ego, my Mom suggested that while visiting I try my hand at baking. After hearing this, I figured that this was an idea that might give a bad idea the will to live . . . . Bless her! She has no idea of her daughter's lack of skills! But, I gave it my best and as fate would have it, she was right - baking might actually be my thing!

I've perfected one of her most requested pies, and I would love to share the recipe with you. This "Becky-Home-ecky" moment will provide you with a couple of opportunities; the first being a chance to find your insulin shock threshold and second, offering you a way to shed the pale imitation of a life you presently posses without the knowledge of this tasty recipe.

Also important to note is that this pie might provoke the sounds that my Golden Retriever, AJ, makes when he's been licking himself too long.

MaMa Jo's Magic Pie

• Use an electric mixer to blend 8 oz. of Creme Cheese, 2 tsp. of Vanilla extract or 1 cap full of Almond extract.

• Mix in 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (I use Eagle Brand) - a little bit at a time, until thoroughly mixed.

• Add 1/3 cup of lemon juice and mix, again.

• Take a 12 ounce "do-hickey" of Cool Whip and fold half of the container into the above mixture.

• Plop all that into one of those crusts from the freezer section at the grocery store or one of those Graham-cracker ones - that would be tasty, too. (Just get over yourself and buy the pre-made kind. Don't be all Ina-Garten-Barefoot-Contessa-y about it!)

• Place in the fridge and guard with your meanest "don't-make-me-stop-this-car" face for about an hour before serving. You can top with fresh blue berries, strawberries or canned cherries, but I like mine naked-y.

• Serve with a smile and the number for Jenny Craig, whenever possible.

Monday, June 1, 2009

It's possible that it's just my civic pride getting carried away here, but presently, I'm throwing my hat up into the air, a la Mary Tyler Moore, because some of my favorite places and some of Austin's most nostalgic landmarks have been used as backdrops for the models in the new June Anthropologie catalogue. I think it reads more like a tour guide than a summer collection catalogue - love it!

Additionally, Anthropologie has collaborated with Nashville printers Hatch Show Print to produce this inspiring issue. Scattered throughout the catalogue are amazing print elements, as well as a frame-worthy back cover. Photo credits: Anthropologie